Overview
- A retired arbitrator found that an Uber driver stopped at an unsafe gore point on State Route 73 in August 2023, ordered 23‑year‑old Emily Normandin‑Parker and her friend out of the car, and that Normandin‑Parker later entered traffic and was struck and killed.
- After a five‑day arbitration, the arbitrator awarded $20 million each to Normandin‑Parker’s parents and $300,000 to her friend, holding the driver negligent and Uber vicariously liable for his conduct.
- The decision rejected Uber’s argument that it is merely a technology platform and found that Proposition 22 does not bar vicarious liability for the company in this case.
- Uber says it disagrees with the ruling and is contesting the legal conclusion while the company also sought limits on public disclosure of the award; the driver is no longer on the platform.
- The family will use the proceeds to fund the Emily Normandin‑Parker Foundation to push for stronger rideshare safety rules and corporate accountability, and the ruling may prompt closer scrutiny of driver vetting and complaint handling at app‑based firms.